Tuesday, August 31, 2010

KAWARTHA SPEEDWAY: Invasion of the Victory Snatchers

When it comes to defending their hometown turf against attacks by drivers from other tracks, Kawartha Speedway's regulars have earned an excellent reputation. August 27 the local heroes turned-in some outstanding runs, but when the checkered flag fell in two of the Fraserville, Ontario oval's three weekly divisions, unfamiliar names had earned the victory lane bragging rights.

As the clock struck seven, the headline NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models left the turn four staging area for a pair of ten lap heats. Spencer MacPherson and Chris Morrow shared the honours in the first round of action. Steve Mayhew and Matt Spence split the Better Carpet Thunder Car qualifiers, while Brad Martin and Mike Nelson made it to victory lane following Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock qualifying. Next on the agenda were the night's semi features, with invader Marvin Freiburger, MacPherson and Martin capturing the thunder car, late model and mini stock checkered flags. Willie Reyns, Craig Graham and John Bryan made it to the feature race line-up after winning their respective consolation rounds. The Ontario Legends were also part of the night's action. Tim Fernandes won two of the evening's four heats, with Kevin Foisy and Adam Cuthbertson picking-up the others.

The Better Carpet Thunder Car field rolled to the line nearly 20 strong for their 50 lap main event. Jamie Wagar and Ottawa's Greg Ogilvie paced the pack to Mike Charest's green flag. As quickly as the action began, things were slowed when Matt Spence looped the #53 at the exit of turn two. At the same time, Andy Ford headed pit side for some quick attention from his crew. There was another yellow on lap nine when Wagar and Joe Sinopoli came together – again in turn two. The feature developed a long, green flag feel until Chad Strawn's solo backstretch spin on lap 25. Willie Reyns was the next to encounter troubles, as his #87 Monte Carlo slowed to a stop on the high side of turn four. While everything else was going on around him, Freiburger had built-up a commanding lead. The Sauble Speedway regular, who has more than 43 sponsors on his car and donates all his race winnings to Easter Seals, picked-up the win in only his second Kawartha start. Steve Mayhew, Matt Spence, Ken Grubb and Andy Ford completed the top five.

With the nights first 'A' main under wraps, the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models were set to stretch their legs for 25 laps as Sean Cronin and Ryan Kimball made-up the front row. Even with some early yellow flags, Kimball's #16 was the class of the field and it looked like the second generation speedster from Norwood would be on the way to his first career win. When Dwight Brown spun on the backstretch – an incident that also involved Craig Graham – Chris Morrow lined-up outside Kimball and the writing was on the wall. On the ensuing green flag, Morrow took over the top spot and brought Dan McHattie and Larry Jackson along for the ride. The trio played very well together, treating fans to some action-packed racing until a yellow flag for an incident between J.P. Josiasse and Mike Sinopoli slowed the pace with 13 laps to go. On the re-start, McHattie used the outside line to out-run Morrow to turn one and assumed the top spot. A couple of laps later, he showed the driver of the #11 the bottom groove, then used a textbook crossover move to head back to the top, where his Chevy was on rails. A late race spin by Cale Bailey couldn't deny McHattie another win. Morrow held-on for second, with Jackson, Kimball and MacPherson wrapping-up the top five positions.

From the drop of the green flag, the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock field scattered like children on a playground. All 23 starters were searching for a racing line, running three and sometimes four wide throughout the pack. Front row starters Steven Slot and Dwight Lavoie had control of the field early, but Doug Mould was charging from his seventh place starting spot and had moved into the top spot before the halfway point of the 20 lapper. Deeper in the running order, Lavoie was facing a challenge from 'Too' Moroney, who was doing his best to keep a strong run by Mike Nelson from becoming another win. While he watched the others fight it out in his rear view mirror, Mould worked through lapped traffic with the skill of a surgeon and picked-up the win. Moroney held-off Nelson for second, with Michael Batchelor and Daryl Fice fourth and fifth.

The night's action closed-out with a 20 lap Ontario Legends feature. Kevin Foisy picked-up the win, followed by Johnny Whalen and Tim Fernandes. Details can be found at www.ontariolegends.ca.

Kawartha klips: NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model driver Tim Burke from Bancroft made it to the track, but never managed to turn a lap. While unloading a pit cart from his trailer, a cable came loose and caused the toolbox to roll out of the rig. Burke was trapped between the cart and the racecar and suffered a compound fracture of his right leg, just above the ankle. He was taken from the track by ambulance to a Peterborough area hospital and is scheduled for a second round of surgery September 1. Kawartha Speedway drivers, teams, officials and fans wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back at the track...The Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock feature again ran caution-free, but there was a late-race incident after the checkered flag. Danny Benedict was trying to pick-up an extra-spot and made hard contact with the front stretch wall. The young driver was unhurt, but disappointed that his car was damaged too much to race the next night...Kawartha Speedway was a hive of activity, even before the races began. The 'boot camp' members from Custom Fit Pilates were taken for laps in the track's ride cars and there was a demonstration event featuring members of the Kawartha-Durham Kart Club. The organization stages events Sunday afternoons on a road-course set-up inside the 3/8th mile oval.